Bond University has strengthened its senior executive team with the creation of a new Vice President Engagement. Following an international search, Catherine Marks recently joined the university from the UK bringing substantial international experience in development, fundraising, marketing, communications and international relations.
Ms Marks has over 25 years of experience in the engagement field in Higher Education, starting her professional career in the first commercial company of a UK university, the University of Edinburgh.
A Chartered Marketer, she holds degrees in Economics and International Marketing and has worked in leadership roles at several universities where she has achieved award-winning success by strengthening and deepening relationships with alumni, businesses, arts and sporting organisations, and high-profile individuals.
In her previous role as Director of Global Advancement at Swansea University, the university won the inaugural Good University Guide - Welsh University of the Year award in 2017 and again in 2019, as well as being shortlisted for The Times Higher UK University of the Year 2019.
Ms Marks said: “The most exciting part of being in any organisation’s engagement and advancement space, is building interesting relationships which help to sustain and grow the business for years to come.
“While the Higher Education sector has significant tradition and is well established, the changes I have seen in the globalisation, marketisation and funding of the sector mean that institutions must look to their past students, friends and partners to develop future strategies and campaigns to support current and future students as well the university’s infrastructure.”
Ms Marks has moved to the Gold Coast with three of her four children and partner Matt, a pilot and physicist.
“The move to the Gold Coast felt like it was meant to be, the people, beaches, the hills and the welcome made it feel like I was home, and it now is!” Ms Marks said.
Ms Marks said that in her role as VP Engagement she aims to identify and foster champions to help the university grow its reputation and endowment and is also looking to capitalise on the university’s 30th anniversary next year to further raise its profile.
“Bond has a close-knit international network of alumni and, from what I have already experienced in my brief time meeting Bond alumni in London, Edinburgh and across Australia, there is a remarkable affinity for the university, and for each other.”
“To build a private university on the Gold Coast 30 years ago showed incredible foresight on behalf of its founders,” she said.
Bond University’s Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford, commented that he was delighted with the appointment of Ms Marks.
“Catherine brings an international perspective, significant experience in relationship management, and the most critical attribute is her appreciation of a small private student-focused institution,” he said.
“Having embarked on a strategic path in recent years to genuinely engage with our alumni, Catherine’s appointment represents our next step. The establishment of the Office of Engagement with such a senior appointment is symbolic of how seriously we regard our relationship with all Bondies.”